Some of India's biggest employers are testing for antibodies to either comply with regulatory norms or gauge the effectiveness of precautionary measures.
The migrant workers were walking along the rail tracks apparently to escape the attention of police. A video clip from the scene of the tragedy shows the bodies of migrant workers lying on the tracks and nearby with their meagre personal belongings scattered around.
The meeting has been called as the Finance Minister P Chidambaram did not extend a March 31 deadline for the trusts to get regular tax exemption through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation.
The migrants said that they prefer trucks and tempos to go back to their native places as the trucks drop them close to their villages, while buses drop them only till the state border, from where they have to find another mode of transport to reach home.
The central government has notified the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) rate of interest at 8.5 per cent for 2006-07. The Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPF, in July, had recommended interest at 8.5 per cent. The government has now accorded its approval to notify the specified rate of interest for the year.
The amendment now makes it compulsory for corporate PF trusts to comply with the Employees Provident and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, and to claim exemptions under Section 17 of the same Act.
In view of allegations by trade unions that Employees Provident Fund Organisation was "fraught with corruption", the Labour Minstry has convened a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on December 14 to discuss the functioning of the EPFO.
Vashi APMC traders see supplies to Mumbai impacted over movement curbs. A number of trucks sent to Mumbai from the market has reduced from 600 per day in recent times to around 300.
Under attack from Left parties for slashing the EPF rate by one per cent for the current fiscal, Labour Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday promised to do everything possible for "best returns
For Afghans in India, including medical tourists from the war-torn country as well as migrants and refugees staying here much longer, the safety of friends and families is the biggest concern - particularly for those linked to the now collapsed government or who have had work ties with the US.
The staff of public sector banks had gone on a nationwide strike for two days beginning February 10 after discussions with the IBA failed.
The number of contributors was 46.4 million in July and 44 million in September.
At present, the EPF subscribers are exempted from paying income tax on deposits.
'The handling of the pandemic, under this totally constitutional and legal three-level dictatorship, has begun to show its downside,' observes Shekhar Gupta.
The members of these trusts enjoy tax and other benefits at par with EPFO subscribers.
'With more and more young people relocating outside their home states for work, an all-India MLDA of 21 would be a good way to ensure that more Indians can go with the flow,' recommends Kanika Datta.
'They are all worried about one thing -- what about tomorrow?'
There have been several instances of traders dumping fruits and vegetables outside mandis. Or of farmers dumping produce outside their villages or feeding them to their animals.
May told the House of Commons that the UK remained in regular contact with both countries and was working towards de-escalating tensions.
At present this facility is available to workers of (un-exempted) firms which do not have their PF trusts and manage their employees' accounts with their respective regional fund commissioners of the EPFO. It was launched in October last year.
'These people are living on the edge of starvation and governments need to show much greater compassion towards them.'
Kumaraswamy predicted that the political instability would continue in the state.
'The main reason people go to other countries is unemployment in Punjab'
Promising Central Bureau of Investigation probe into mining, chit fund and other scams in Odisha, Congress on Friday said it would review all MoUs signed by BJD government in the state in last 10 years, provide pucca houses to landless and allowance to unemployed youths if voted to power.
In January, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation had asked the field staff to ensure the collection of data in respect of member joining on or after March 1, on a monthly basis and in respect of existing members by June 30, 2013.
The weatherman said when 'Amphan' makes the landfall between West Bengal's Digha, some 180 km from Kolkata, and Hatiya island in Bangladesh on Wednesday afternoon or evening, it will pack sustained wind speed of 155 to 165 kmph, gusting at 185 kmph. The gale-force wind, blowing at a speed of 240 to 250 kmph and gusting to 275 kmph at one point, had lost intensity and was moving at a speed of 200 to 210 kmph, gusting to 230 kmph on Tuesday evening.
'The person who carried out the London attack... was a fighter from the Islamic State, and did so in response to calls to target citizens of coalition countries,' the ISIS statement read.
They alleged that the central bank has "failed miserably" in handling the situation post-demonetisation.
BSF chief K K Sharma said Pakistani forces are deliberately trying to "create a flash point" to facilitate infiltration of terrorists into India and asserted that these designs will be foiled.
'Evacuation' has been key to disaster management in Odisha. The aim is to achieve zero casualty.
Heavy rains lashing Mumbai since Sunday have thrown rail, air and road traffic out of gear, with several trains and flights being cancelled. With IMD forecast of heavy rains for Tuesday, the authorities declared a holiday in the city and adjoining regions, asking people to avoid stepping out of their houses.
Desolate streets with security personnel and a communications lockdown has left the Valley cut off from the world.
'Our only child. A Communist.' 'There was an encounter by the police inside this room, five years ago. He was shot in one arm, but managed to escape.' 'Missing since then. May Jesus keep him alive.' A revealing excerpt from Asim Mukhopadhyay's Half Man: A Novel On The Naxal Movement.
By region, Thiruvananthapuram leads with 247 defaulters, followed by Kolkata with 173 and Bhubaneswar with 115
Rohingyas settled in Jammu tells how they are facing a battle for survival
Government claims big successes in agriculture, rural roads & investment scenario.
In the third reshuffle since coming to power, Prime Minister Modi raised the strength of his Council of Ministers from 73 to 76.
Deras like Sacha Sauda made the poor feel secure, cared for, loved, provided a support system and gave them dignity, says Sanjeev Nayyar.
This is the joint statement issued by the ministry of external affairs on the visit of US President Barack Obama to India.
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